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This week’s new questions

Does left handedness or righthandedness make for a better pianist? And when getting dressed in the morning, I want to warm up as quickly as possible. Should I put on my trousers or top first?

27 August 2025

M5BFWD A man playing a piano outdoors in a public square beside False Creek and the Cambie Street bridge in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

John Zada/Alamy

Last Word is Âé¶¹´«Ã½â€™s long-running series in which readers give scientific answers to each other’s questions, ranging from the minutiae of everyday life to absurd astronomical hypotheticals. To answer a question or ask a new one, email lastword@newscientist.com

Does left-handedness or right-handedness make for a better pianist?

John Grant

Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

Âé¶¹´«Ã½. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Tara Moore/Getty Images

When getting dressed in the morning, I want to warm up as quickly as possible. Should I put on my trousers or my top first?

Tom Van Oss

London, UK

To answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com.

Questions should be scientific enquiries about everyday phenomena, and both questions and answers should be concise. We reserve the right to edit items for clarity and style. Please include a postal address, daytime telephone number and email address.

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